The New Jerusalem
As Abraham sojourned in Canaan so all Christians sojourn here on this earth. The apostle Peter referred to the Christian as a “temporary resident” (refugee cf. 1 Peter 1:1, 17), as one “sojourning in a strange place.” Paul says that our citizenship is not here, but in the “Jerusalem above” (Gal. 4:21-31). In fact the author of Hebrews tells us that when Abraham, “Isaac and Jacob were living in tents in Canaan, they were actually seeking the ‘city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God’” (11:10).[1] What is this city? It is the New Jerusalem, the “heavenly Jerusalem,” the “city of the living God” (Heb. 12:22-23). It is the capital city of a great and glorious kingdom: the Kingdom of God. To this city all Christians are looking (Heb. 13:14), and waiting anxiously.
Revelation 21 gives the most information about this city. It is the “holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God” (Rev. 21:2). The old creation has passed away and God’s original design and intent for the city is fulfilled. God gives His people, not a country landscape, not a valley and a plain, but a Kingdom, with cities! God loves the city, God created the city, and God will give His people a city in which to live, work, and worship Him in their eternal home.
[1] Arnold, “City, Citizenship.” 415.
Sparrow & Heart Soul Care 